Embarrassment 1: On a midnight flight, the little one bursts into loud crying, making everyone frown.
Expert Tip (Mom Nuannuan): I bring along some of my baby’s favorite toys, and a pacifier is also a lifesaver. It works when the baby is crying and also helps during takeoff and landing when their ears feel uncomfortable.
If your baby is used to using a pacifier, you’ll find it’s a real godsend.
Embarrassment 2: During the trip, the baby suddenly points curiously at a beautiful castle and asks, “Mommy, what’s that?” Mom is instantly speechless—who knew you’d have to answer unexpected questions on what was supposed to be just a photo-taking trip?
Expert Tip (Baoyue): Pre-trip preparation is crucial—not just material, but mental prep too. So even if you’re traveling with a very young child, it’s important to learn a bit about the destination.
For non-verbal babies, parents should still point out things and talk to them often. Don’t skip communication just because they can’t talk yet. Beautiful and lovely things will make the baby happy, and talking more helps develop their language skills rapidly.
Around the age of two, babies love to talk and start asking questions. When traveling with a child, it’s essential to go slow and not just rush through sights—otherwise, the child won’t retain anything. Parents should explain things in a way the child can understand so they can truly connect with the experience.
It’s best to link what the baby sees with stories they can understand. For example, if the baby points at a castle and asks, “Mommy, what’s this?” you could reply, “This is Snow White’s house.”
Embarrassment 3: We’re already on the plane, but the baby suddenly starts coughing and has a fever. Should we just turn back? It’s such a dilemma.
Expert Tip (Liu Xinyang): If the baby is seriously ill, then you may have to consider canceling the trip. But if it’s not severe, you might be able to handle it on the road.
Once, I took Lebao to Hong Kong. She was sick before departure, so I brought a small electric pot and made her traditional Chinese medicine in the hotel. By the next day, she was fully recovered.
It’s really necessary to prepare some emergency medications for travel, and it’s also wise to choose destinations with better medical facilities—just in case.
Embarrassment 4: Taking your baby to an amusement park, where there are queues everywhere. You worry the baby might get too tired—is it better to just take a photo and move on to the next spot?
Expert Tip (Mom Musa): Before visiting a theme park, it’s best to download the map from the official website, understand the rides and prices, and book tickets online if possible. Planning a route suitable for your baby will make the trip much more relaxed.
For 2–3-year-olds, moms should also keep one thing in mind: to get the most value from the trip, you need to consider your child’s personality first.
My son Musa is quite introverted. Before going to Disneyland, we tested him out at Happy Valley in Beijing to see if he’d be okay with certain rides—and only then did we bring him to Disney.
Embarrassment 5: While sorting through photos during the trip, you suddenly realize—why do other moms’ social media posts feature adorable pictures, while ours are nothing but endless peace signs?
Expert Tip (Li Yan): Many moms ask their kids to stand still and smile at the camera, resulting in rather stiff and unnatural photos.
It’s better to let the child play freely while you crouch or sit beside them at their eye level, capturing candid moments. If you’re at the beach, I’d set aside a whole afternoon to dress up my daughter specially.
For example, create a mermaid look, chat about fairy tale scenes while taking photos, and turn the whole process into something fun.
Also, avoid relying solely on straight-on, smile-at-the-camera shots—they’re too one-dimensional. Try incorporating the environment: a distant silhouette, a leaping sprite, a side glance, etc. Shoot from multiple angles.
Embarrassment 6: You finally manage an overseas trip, but your little girl refuses to leave the hotel pool and won’t go anywhere else. Even if you just step out for a meal, she insists on heading straight back. How can you enjoy the trip properly?
Expert Tip (Yuan Yuan): People say our daughter Guoguo is obedient, but no kid is that well-behaved. When we travel, she keeps asking to swim in the pool.
My approach is to be “kind but firm.” I tell Guoguo that we won’t have time to swim during the trip, but I promise to set aside half a day for her to enjoy it to the fullest.
If she still insists after I’ve made my stance clear, I’ll firmly restate it—and sometimes a meaningful look does the trick. Over time, the child learns that travel is a group activity. Not only do their wishes matter, but others’ do too.